Clinton Rogers in his column talks about the strangest phobias

I would sometimes spend weeks uncovering, researching, filming and editing a complicated story exposing fraud or other serious criminality. I’d be proud as punch when the story made it to air. And yet the public reaction was often zero.

Yet do a naked piece to camera about nudism on the beach at Berrow (nearly 40 years ago!) and people are still talking about it, much to the annoyance of my wife!

“We saw Clinton naked … wasn’t impressed.”

In some ways it is the same with this column. Mind you, I am absolutely thrilled that people are not only reading it, but also reacting to it and joining the conversation.

The most ‘talked about’ subject so far is phobias. I’ve lost count of the number of people who have stopped me in the street (and supermarket this week) or sent emails telling me about what causes issues for them.

I particularly liked the one from a lady (who asked for her name not to be used) telling me she had a phobia about graffiti

She wrote: It actually makes me feel stressed and nauseated. I find the bright garish colours intimidating and aggressive. To deal with this I avoid underpasses, going under bridges or passing hoardings where these upsetting images happen to be. I am a lover of old brick walls and it makes me feel sick seeing them defaced in this way.

“There is much emphasis on gardening and going into green spaces to deal with stress and it is known to be beneficial. However, graffiti has the complete opposite effect on me so I now avoid walking along the canals or rivers that I love in our local area.”

Now that is a new one on me, but you know what, I get it.

But how about this one – a phobia about seeing men with long thin pointed straight beards!

The writer says: “Some of them have bands holding the hair together like a ponytail. I often have the urge to cut them off but then of course I would not want to touch them!”

I love it – but please resist the urge to get your scissors out in the street!